close up in rear, ridden 3 out, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, pushed along between 3out/2out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and ran on strongly(new track record)
tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed narrowly 2 out, chased winner until towards finish
led, headed 3rd, tracked leader until ridden approaching 3 out, weakened between last two
raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along to to chase leader 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace run in
tracked leaders, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, no threat to winner
The winners of the last two renewals take part and Silver Streak won this last year on his seasonal debut. He later finished second in the Christmas Hurdle in soft going here on Boxing Day when ahead of VERDANA BLUE but the latter has an advantage at the weights today back on her preferred good ground. She’s also been in fine form on the Flat placing in both the Ascot Stakes and the Ebor at York last time and won this in 2018. Stablemate Brain Power won a soft Grade 1 hurdle in North America at this time last year but Diego Du Charmil is preferred on his second in the Kingwell Hurdle here back in February. Highly Prized and Teqany have it all to do on these terms.
Brain Power (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Drew clear easily, won at Far Hills 2m 5f gd in Oct beating Scorpiancer (11-2) by 15l, 12 ran.
Silver Streak (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, outpaced after 2 out, stayed under pressure flat, never on terms, 6th of 17, 12l behind Epatante (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, quick move to lead before 2 out, ridden and pressed run-in, headed and not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Song For Someone (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Highly Prized 11-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, mistake 5th, pulled up before next, at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Teqany (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, led next, stayed on well, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Midnights' Gift (11-5) by 3l, 8 ran.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 21, 2l behind Fujaira Prince (9-8) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
